Yusupov Palace

The Yusupov Palace, also known as the Chambers of the Volkovs-Yusupovs, is a unique architectural monument located in the very heart of the capital. This building is rightfully considered one of the oldest civil structures in Moscow that has survived to the present day. The palace is located at: Bolshoy Kharitonyevsky Lane, 21, building 4, and is an object of cultural heritage of federal significance.

History of Creation and the Legendary Past of the Palace

Mysterious Origins: From Ivan the Terrible to Peter I

According to folk legends, in ancient times, the chambers of Ivan the Terrible himself stood on the site of the modern palace. The legend says that the ruler used this place as a hunting lodge for rest after royal hunts. There is also a belief about an extensive network of underground passages that supposedly radiated from here throughout Moscow, allowing the tsar to move unnoticed by outsiders. Historians date the construction of the preserved building to the 17th century or the beginning of the 18th century. Some researchers suggest earlier dates, pointing to the end of the 15th century or even 1555, but these versions remain the subject of scholarly debate.

A Series of Distinguished Owners

At the end of the 17th century, Peter I granted the palace to his loyal associate Pyotr Shafirov, vice-chancellor and cavalier of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. In 1723, the emperor himself stayed here as a guest, which is recorded in the sovereign's campaign journal. After Shafirov, the owner became Count Tolstoy, actual privy councilor and one of the leaders of Peter the Great's secret service. However, during the reign of Peter II, the count fell into disfavor and was exiled to the Solovetsky Monastery, with his property confiscated. The next owner of the estate was Alexey Volkov, an assistant to Menshikov and chief secretary of the Military Collegium. It was thanks to this owner that the building received the name "Chambers of Boyar Volkov," although Volkov himself did not belong to the boyar class. However, he owned the palace for less than a year—after Menshikov's fall from grace, the estate was seized again.

The Yusupov Era: Two Centuries of Prosperity

The new owner was Prince Grigory Yusupov-Knyazhev, lieutenant colonel of the Preobrazhensky Regiment. From this moment begins the two-hundred-year history of the palace's belonging to the famous Yusupov family, which lasted until the October Revolution of 1917. The Yusupov family was one of the wealthiest in tsarist Russia. Their distinctive feature was that all wealth was passed down through the male line—in the family, traditionally only boys were born, which allowed the property to remain in the hands of the clan across generations. In the early 19th century, the palace became a center of secular life. From 1801 to 1803, Sergei Lvovich Pushkin rented an apartment on the second floor of the left wing. Here, the young Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin lived with his father. According to some accounts, it was in the Yusupov garden that the future great poet saw a curiosity brought from Holland—a mechanical cat on a chain, which may have inspired him to create the image of the "learned cat" in the poem "Ruslan and Lyudmila." During the Yusupovs' ownership, the estate significantly expanded. The neighboring Izmaylov property was annexed to the main estate, a fruit garden with a greenhouse was laid out, and the Yusupov Theater was created. The last representative of the family, Felix Yusupov the Younger, was married to Irina Romanova, niece of Emperor Nicholas II, which allowed the family to become related to the imperial house.

Architectural Features and Interior Decoration of the Palace

Exterior Appearance: A Russian Terem from a Fairy Tale

The architecture of the Yusupov Palace is a vivid example of traditional Russian architecture. The complex consists of several buildings on vaulted cellars with entry halls and external porches, connected by a system of corridors and passages. The walls are adorned with multicolored window casings, and the building is crowned with small domes with weather vanes and decorative elements. The Red Porch led to the entry hall of the second floor of the eastern chambers. Above the entrance were images of the holy princes Boris and Gleb. At the end of the 17th—beginning of the 18th century, the Dining Chamber was built, to which single-story outbuildings adjoined from the south and west.

Major Reconstructions of the 18th-19th Centuries

At the end of the 19th century, architect Vasily Pomerantsev carried out a large-scale reconstruction of the palace. The western part was expanded, facades and interior spaces were transformed, and a third floor was added. In 1892, the eastern part of the palace underwent restoration: the steepness of the roofs was increased and their decoration restored, windows received glass with patterns imitating mica, and the facades were painted. In 1895, a new ceremonial porch and a stone fence with gates were erected on the courtyard side. The interior walls of the palace were decorated with paintings based on sketches by architect Nikolai Sultanov.

Interiors: A Journey Through the Epochs

Each room in the palace is unique in its decoration. Ten halls are open for visiting, distributed across three floors: First Floor:

• Vestibule with a fragment of ancient masonry, presumably preserved from the time of Ivan the Terrible
• Hall (entry hall)
• Red Hall
• Hunting Hall with walls painted with scenes of royal falconry—the favorite pastime of the monarchs of Muscovite Rus

Second Floor — Ceremonial Quarters:

• Ceremonial Staircase with Lions
• Chinese Room with refined finishing
• Majestic Throne Hall with portraits of Russian monarchs, where solemn receptions were held
• Heraldic Room — the drawing room of the palace's last mistress, Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova
• Portrait Room with vaults decorated with images of the main representatives of the princely family
• Prince's Study with a strict business atmosphere
• Dining (Refectory) Room

Third Floor:

• House Church with a side chapel
• Entry Hall

To the present day, figured stoves from the early 18th century, a fireplace from the early 17th century with drawings and inscriptions, as well as part of the rich decoration of the Dining Chamber have been preserved. Particular attention deserves the tiled stove—a true encyclopedia of Russian everyday life from the early 18th century. Each tile is a unique picture of humorous everyday content with a brief inscription.

Secrets and Treasures of the Yusupovs

After the 1917 revolution, Felix Yusupov and his relatives managed to emigrate to Europe. At that time, it was believed that all the family's wealth had been nationalized by the Soviet authorities. However, it later turned out that before leaving, Felix had managed to hide part of the family treasures in the palace. In a cache skillfully disguised in the building's walls, precious jewelry, gold and silver items, as well as a famous Stradivari violin were discovered. All these valuables were wrapped in old ragged clothes to avoid attracting attention.

The Palace in Soviet Times and the Present Day

From Academy to Museum

After the revolution, like many other noble mansions, the building passed into state ownership. From 1929, it housed the presidium of VASKhNIL—the All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences named after Lenin. Outstanding scientists Nikolai Vavilov and Alexander Chayanov worked within these walls. Later, the palace housed a museum of noble life and a military-historical museum. In 1987, episodes of the popular film "Midshipmen, Forward!" were filmed in the historical interiors.

Challenges of the 21st Century

In 2004-2005, the Academy leased and then sold the monument to private investors. The "restoration" work started by the new owners caused serious losses to the historical interiors. Thanks to public outcry, the work was stopped by heritage protection authorities, and in 2007, the arbitration court declared the sale transaction invalid. The monument returned to the ownership of the Agricultural Academy, which in 2015 was merged with the Russian Academy of Sciences. For some time, the building stood empty, leading to deterioration. The paintings on the first floor suffered from dampness, and the external porch of the courtyard facade began to collapse. The chambers were included in the Red Book of Arkhnadzor—an electronic catalog of Moscow's cultural heritage objects under threat. In 2020, the chambers were transferred as a branch to the Arkhangelskoye Estate Museum. A large-scale restoration is planned, with the start scheduled for 2023. Before beginning the work, specialists will conduct a thorough study of the monument's technical condition and develop a restoration project.

Excursion Program and Museum Activities

Before closing for restoration, the Volkovs-Yusupovs Palace Museum actively received visitors. The palace was open on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 10:00 to 19:00. The total area of the premises used for museum display is 817 square meters. The museum hosted various thematic events and excursions for children and adults. Visitors were immersed in several worlds:

1. World of Legends and Mysteries — in the Hunting Room, guides told about falconry, the legend of the palace's construction by Ivan the Terrible, mysterious underground passages, and ghosts
2. World of Secular Life — the ceremonial halls of the second floor demonstrated the luxury of aristocratic receptions, balls, and feasts
3. World of Private Chambers — the Heraldic Room, Portrait Room, and Prince's Study represented the intimate side of noble life
4. World of Mysticism — stories about the mysterious "curse of the Yusupov family" and enigmatic events in the family's life

In the inner courtyard, during warm weather, performances and interactive shows for children were held. It is expected that after the completion of the restoration, all these traditions will be continued.

How to Get to the Yusupov Palace

The Chambers of the Volkovs-Yusupovs are located in the Basmanny District of Moscow at: Bolshoy Kharitonyevsky Lane, 21, building 4. You can reach the palace in several ways:

• From the "Chistye Prudy" metro station — about five minutes on foot along Bolshoy Kharitonyevsky Lane
• From the "Krasnye Vorota" metro station — about five minutes on foot along Bolshoy Kislovsky Lane

Practical Information for Visitors

Important: As of the current moment, the palace is closed to visitors due to ongoing preventive measures and preparation for large-scale restoration. The museum's opening date has not yet been determined. It is recommended to follow updates on the museum's official website. Before closing, the cost of a general guided tour was 700 rubles. Entry to the adjacent park was free. The Yusupov Palace in Moscow is not just an architectural monument, but a living witness to several eras of Russian history. From the legendary times of Ivan the Terrible to the revolutionary upheavals of the 20th century, from the flourishing of noble culture to modern efforts to preserve the national heritage—every stone of this building holds memories of the past and hope for the future.